Heaven and Earth: Alexander Calder and Jeff Koons

As part of its 50th anniversary, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago presents Heaven and Earth: Alexander Calder and Jeff Koons, which explores the unexpected synergy of two art icons. Calder, best known for his abstract, ethereal mobiles, represents “Heaven.” Koons, with his sculptural glorification of everyday objects, represents “Earth.” Both artists have played important roles in the history of the MCA, making the exploration of their works together an apt way to mark this anniversary year.

James W. Alsdorf Chief Curator Michael Darling expertly arranged the exhibit, encouraging a charming interplay between the work of these seemingly disparate artists. Darling says he formed unusual pairings to encourage visitors to see connections they might have missed otherwise, which “creates an intergenerational dialogue that is important for a museum to do in order to keep historical works alive and fresh for our moment.”

Koons’ bronze Lifeboat appears to float, with Calder’s Seagull and Seal “frolicking above and beside” it, adding to the whimsical nautical feel. The uncanny weightlessness of Koons’ suspended basketballs in Three Ball Total Equilibrium Tank share kinship with the orange paddle balanced with unbelievable precision in Calder’s Orange Under Table. Darling says the interplay between works “is super formal in some cases,” such as shared colors, but “also very playfully literal” in his thematic pairing of works. “I wanted to take a risk and be silly so that visitors might also put their guard down and enjoy the works individually and together.”

Heaven and Earth: Alexander Calder and Jeff Koons is on view in the McCormick Tribune Orientation Gallery on the MCA Chicago’s second floor until December 16, 2018.